The Olive Tree — Restaurant in England

After reading good reviews we decided to pop in before a show last night, we were disappointed not sure where these reviews are based on but pretty sure it can’t be here, calamari looked like Tesco frozen bag that had been fried about 10 times batter was thick and dark and had gone beyond crispy being on the seafront you expect fresh seafood really and this was clearly not fresh it everything tasted like it had been fried in old oil and had that dark look to it, cod was ok but there was no consistency in sizes coming out felt mine was particularly small compared to tables around us but there was no size option on the menu to account for this, chips were less than impressive but edible, gherkin and mushy peas were nice. Staff were really friendly and service was quick which was good as we planned to see a show after and didn’t have much time. Overall was disappointed left that greasy oil taste in your mouth afterwards....

Found this restaurant by way of a recommendation from a member of the public in the near by car park: Shorefield Road.

Good value for money, although a large coke (pint) is £4. I was told that it’s charged as two x 1/2 pint?

I opted for cod and chips with mushy peas; all-in £9.95. Good value.

Tartar sauce is via multiple sachets but wanted homemade. I made a mess, sorry!

Cod was piping hot and the mushy peas was good but on the small portion size. Chips were warm and slightly underdone.

Service was ok and had to ask for the bill four times.

Otherwise a good experience and away from the hustle and bustle of nearby seafront eateries.

If I had more space I would have opted for the cherry pie and iced cream which looked...

Advertising themselves as open until 8.30pm, but apparently been closing at 7.30pm "since Covid." The restaurant took my order - and my attempt at conversation was shut down even when I tried to tell the owner I was a first-time customer trying to support a local business.

Don't bother coming here; fish was more plaice in batter than cod, and chips were more cardboard than the box they came in. Utter madness that a fish and chip shop thinks it's good business to close early on a FRIDAY NIGHT??!

I don't like giving a bad review; I want to be supportive of local businesses in the current climate. Shops and chains are crashing left, right and centre. But EVERY single customer counts, so does every review. And this is...